Folding table



(No Model.) '2 Sheets-Sheet 1."

E. J. FULG'HUM. FOLDING TABLE.

No. 540,971. v Patented June 11, 1895.-

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(N0 lv lod'Lj r i f E. J. FULGHUM.

' v FOLDING TABLE. I No. 540,971. fi ie tented June 1.1, 1895.

0 F KR UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

I ELISHA T. FULGHUM, OF TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN.

FOLDING TABLE.

SIECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 540,971, dated June 1 1, 1895.

Application filed May 29, 1894.

and State of Michigamhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in tables, and has special reference to that class thereof known as folding tables.

The objects of my invention are to produce a table that is especially designed as a'card table, or for playing other games; to so construct the table as to adapt thesame to readily fold compactly soas to be set aside when not in use and occupy but little space; and finally to embody in the table a construction of hinge that is adapted to effectually serve as such for the purpose of permitting the legs of the table to fold against the under side of the top I and also to serve as a secure brace to the legs when they are extended and the table in position for use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appearin the following description and the novel features thereof willbe particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a table embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is-an end elevation. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view, the legs extended. Fig. 5 is a. similar View, the legs folded. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through the table top, illustrating the hinge and brace together with a portion of the legs. Fig. 7 is a detail in perspective of the hinge and brace.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

. V i PM The top'l may be of any desired shape, but in the present instance is oblong, and it is provided adjacent to each of its four edges with sight openings 2, in which are arranged glass or other transparent panels 3 in which any desired game counter may be arranged.

Secured to the under side of the table top beyond the cleats are pairs of transversely aligning cast metal brackets 13, and each Serial No. 512,853. (No model.)

comprises a horizontal securing-plate 14 perdescribed. The inner lug of each bracket is between its opposite edges provided with an extension which is bent or curved to produce one open member 17 of a hinged joint and each of the lugs is provided with a bracing web 18.

19 designates the legs of which there are four, the same beingarranged in pairs at opposite ends of the table and at a distance apart agreeing with that of the brackets. The legs are connected by cross-pieces 19, and at their inner faces near their upper ends are providedwith metal plates 20 which are perforated to receive screws 21 by means of which the plates are secured to the legs. These plates are at their upper ends and be tween their side edges cut away and at-opposite sides thereof are bent to form the remaining members 22 of the hinged joint, and .are connected loosely with the first mentioned brace by means oftransverse pintles 23 so that as will be obvious the legs may be folded up against the under side of the table top or away from the same at a right angle thereto and when in the latter position the upper ends of said legs will rest in the sockets produced by the pairs of lugs. The upper outer corners of the legs are roundedso as to permit of the legs swinging to and from the table and the sockets in their bottoms conform to such rounding. Then the legs are swung to an operative position, that is so as to support the table, the outer lugs act as braces against which the outer faces of the legs are pressed in a manner to be described. The legs at their lower ends are enlarged forming feet 24, and the legs are so set with reference to each other that the one will receive the other, or in other words they will lie side by side when packed against the under side of the table top. Each leg has a depression or recess 25 formed therein and such recess receives the feet or enlarged portions of the opposite leg,

so that after having been sprung in position they retain that position and the table may be carried about without danger of the legs becoming loose, as will be obvious.

Side pieces or braces 26 are located between the opposite pairs of legs and they are hinged as at 27 to the cleats, or it may be to the under side of the table top. They are therefore capable of being packed flatly orfolded against the under side of the table, or swung downward at a right angle to the table. Their extremities are cut away at their upper corners to avoid the hinges in their movement, and when swung to a lowered position orat a right angle to the table, they impinge at their ends against the opposite pairs of legs, thus spreading the latter and forcing them outward in the manner before described against the outer lugs of the brackets. They are assisted or facilitated in assuming this position by means of inclined blocks 28 which are arranged at the juncture of the legs and cross-bars.

In order to set up thetable the legs are firstswung at a right angle to the table top, after which it is simply necessary to swing the side pieces 26 downwardly and cause them to impinge at their ends against the legs, forcing the latter outward against the outer lugs of the brackets. W'hen in this position the table will be found to be extremely rigid and stable, and in order to pack the table as when not in use, it is simply necessary to swing the side pieces upward against the under side of the table and elevate the legs against the table top springing the enlarged feet thereof into the locking recesses of the opposite legs.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be seen that I have provided a very simple construction of folding table, one in which extreme rigidity and strength is secured as well as the capabilities of compact folding. I employ no extraneous means for securing the legs in their folded positions, nor fasten ing devices for securing them in their unfolded or operative position, but such means are inherent in the construction itself.

Each player may at any time see the score of his opponent and may also observe the counting of the game as the same progresses.

I do not limit my invention to the precise details of construction herein shown and described, but hold that I may vary the same to any degree and extent within the knowledge of the skilled mechanic.

By swinging the legs to an angle of about forty-five degrees, the hinges thereof may be disconnected, and thus the table better adapted for compact folding for shipment.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination with a table top, of 0pposite pairs of hinged legs, the same being relatively located so as to pack or fold one upon the other, each of said legs terminating at its lower end in an enlarged foot, and each of said legs being provided near its upper end with a pocket or recess into which the said enlarged foot may be sprung whereby the legs are locked together against displacement when lying side by side, substantially as specitied.

2. The combination with a table top, of opposite pairs of U- shaped brackets, opposite pairs of legs hinged to the inner terminals of the brackets and adapted to take between the terminals thereof, and opposite side-bars hinged to the under side of the table between the pairs of legs and adapted at their ends to rideover the inner faces of the legs and serve for spreading the legs outward against the outer terminals of said brackets, substantially as specified.

3. The combination with a table top, of pairs of opposite U-shaped brackets, pairs of legs hinged to the inner terminals of the brackets, at a point below the table top and opposite intermediate side pieces hinged to the under side of the table and adapted to fold upwardly thereagainst and to be swung down and be forced between the innersurfaces of the pairs of legs so as to spread the same against the outer terminals of the brackets, substantially as specified.

4. The combination with the table top and the opposite pairs of cast metal brackets each consisting of an upper perforated securing; plate, an outer depending lug and an inner depending lug, the same forming intermediate sockets, the inner lugs between their ends being reduced and bent to form one niember of a hinged joint, of the opposite legs, the transverse connecting bars therefor, the metal plates secured on the legs near their upper ends and at their inner sides, and having their intermediate portions cutaway to receive the hinged member of the lug, and at opposite sides of the same bent to form the companion member, the pintles connecting the members, and the opposite side pieces hinged between the brackets and lugs and adapted to fold against the table or downward between the pairs of legs so as to spread the latter and force them against the outer lugs, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

'ELISl'IA J. FULGHUM.

Witnesses:

Loam ROBERTS, LOUISE Snorne. 

